Graduation Day Minus One - 2016

OK Gang - so, it's time for a party!!!  We're back in Kodiak for our Great-Nephew's graduation and we are really excited.  Morgan is one of the coolest kids you will ever meet and when we were here for his sister's graduation we promised him we'd be back for this event.  It was a commitment we really meant and I can tell you - we are totally delighted we are able to be here again!!  As we talked about earlier, we had all been given our assignments for chores in preparation for the graduation party celebrating Morgan's completion of Kodiak High and - believe me - his mom is a task-master you really don't want to disappoint!!!  Fortunately for us our jobs were more along the line of .... go with Matt to do this .... or ... help Regan do this ... etc.  So - we managed to finish our work in a timely way and were able to kick back and watch the real masters do their stuff!!  One of the things I had looked forward to helping with was putting up the decorations.  Morgan's Mom is probably one of the best in the world at decorating for a party and her ideas are always the best.  Last time we were here for a graduation event, we made a huge 'heart' to mount photographs of the graduate on and it turned out pretty well.  This time we wanted to mount a bunch of photos but we decided to do them in a way that would pay a special tribute to Morgan's "outdoorsman skills."  So ... we decided to mount his photos on some of his memorable friends!!!  Since he has managed to capture some of the most sought-after trophies on the planet we thought we would use some of his very favorites.  Morgan's friend Eleanore - who is a spectacular artist and a 'soon-to-be' engineer helped with the drawings and I was beginning to think we would have to wind up exhibiting her work in a gallery somewhere.  She is one of the most charming people you will ever meet and we fell in love with her - and her family - right away.  Believe me - you will hear more from these young folks in the not-too-distant future.  And it will very likely have something to do with Kodiak Island or the state of Alaska in general.  Their love for their state - and community - is infectious and we are extremely proud of them.  I can tell you one thing for sure ... if you can be around these wonderful young women and men and not get excited about the future they will build - you don't have any imagination!!!  In talking to them, hearing their plans, dreams and expectations - as well as their concerns - you get a clear impression that our world can definitely come out OK if we are willing to give them our trust and support.  And then ... there is Kimberly!!!  As we mentioned in our opening post, our niece from Washington state had come back to Kodiak (where she grew up) to join in the festivities.  It was truly an extraordinary treat for us to have these two beautiful sisters together with us for a while and it could have only been made better if their younger sister, Courtney, had been able to join us.  All three of these ladies are "world-class" and I cannot begin to tell you how much they mean to us.  Each one of them is smart, strong, beautiful, shrewd in business, devoted to their families and simply some of the best, most loving people you could ever hope to meet.  But - that's where the irony comes in!!!  As sharp and unique as our nieces and their families are, the friends they have are the stuff of legend.  Their circles of friends - every one of them - are some of the most devoted people you could hope to encounter on this planet.  I'm not going to try to recount examples from each one but let me tell you - straight up - I have never ... never ... seen people so willing to go to extraordinary lengths to help friends like those we met in Kodiak and those we have gotten to know in the other places in the "lower 48 where these remarkable ladies live."  The other thing that struck us as remarkable was the clear respect the adults had for the young folks at this gathering.  I know it is traditional to be "upbeat" and positive at an event where kids are celebrating the end of their high school years.  But this was very different.  It was clear from the very beginning of the party that the young people who were here had special and unusually positive relationships with the adults.  Over the course of the evening their coaches from baseball, volleyball, track and other sports were there but, more importantly, the adults they had spent time working with on fishing vessels, equine training centers, retail trades, machine trades and many other fields clearly showed that they had developed relationships - and respect - that would last a lifetime.  It was simply spellbinding to eavesdrop on the wide-ranging conversations taking place.  They covered the gamut from big-game hunting in the frozen tundra of northeast Alaska to the plains of Africa; fishing from the coasts of California and Mexico to the Bering Sea; cross-country journeys from the tip of Alaska to the Keys of Florida; to fantastic plans for future education opportunities in every one of our fifty states and virtually every country on the planet.  Remarkable!!!  But - I've gotta tell you, as far ranging as the conversations were, there was never a moment when the reason for this celebration was forgotten.  The young folks were the main attraction and we all reverently acknowledged that this was "their day."  Of course, this was just the "warm-up" for the big event that would take place on Saturday and, as big as this celebration was, it was clear that until the "caps and gowns" were donned it wouldn't seem quite 'real.'  So - we would celebrate tonight, get things cleaned up from this wonderful party and then start getting ready for our return visit to Kodiak High for the graduation of the Class of 2016.  Come on back to join us for that wonderful event.  See ya!!

Kodiak - A Beautiful Sight For Our Eyes

We're here, gang!!!  Back in Kodiak for another long-awaited visit to our niece and her family.  And - as always - arriving on this magical island is an immediate swirl of sights, sounds, smells and sensations.  We have been incredibly fortunate in the past to have great weather for our trips and this one promised to be one of the best.  The temperatures were in the fifties with plenty of sunshine (about 15 to 20 hours of it per day) and the breezes were cool but gentle.  Driving in from the airport we passed many familiar sights - including the huge array of windmills keeping watch from atop Pillar Mountain high above Mill Bay.  Kodiak has a long history of maritime activity including military, commercial, personal travel and tourism.  But - let me get something straight before we get too far into the visit.  I keep saying "Kodiak" for both the city and the island and that is not fair.  Kodiak borough is only one of seven communities on the island and the folks in Akhiok, Old Harbor, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Port Lions and Ouzinkie (as well as those who live on Cape Chiniak) are equally proud of their towns and villages and with total justification.  We have had the good fortune to visit some of those places and to meet people from quite a few and we treasure those encounters.  When we were here last time we visited the local museum and discussed the Alutiq people and culture that has played such an important part in the history of Kodiak.  (Or - as the Alutiq folks would say it - Sun'aq.)  We won't try to go back over all the stuff we discussed then but, if you have time, please go back and take a look at the posts from that visit.  You can click on the following -. 2014 Kodiak Visit- if you'd like to look at it on a separate page.  It is important to remember that the island has been inhabited for at least 7,000 years and served as the capitol of Alaska under the Russians centuries ago.  In addition to the private citizens who make up the island's rich and diverse population, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard have a major presence here.  The population of the island is around 7,000 and I can assure you - they are unique individuals.  It is always invigorating to look out over the city, the harbor and the bay and the sights from our niece's home are equally enthralling.  The view from their living room is a never-ending slide show of nature's most beautiful images.  Everywhere in their home you can see reminders of the things that make up both the culture of Kodiak and the character of its people.  The influence of the fishing industry, big game hunting and island customs are visible everywhere and we were captivated by the stories generated by everything we saw.   The entire family is involved in the life of the community and the guys are some of the most experienced outdoorsmen you will ever find.  The trophies of their hunting expeditions are too numerous to display adequately but the really important thing to keep in mind is that, for them, hunting and fishing are not just a sports but a way of supplementing their food supply in a big way.  I can tell you from experience that it is also the source of some extraordinary meals.  In our earlier post we included a photo of Matt preparing a truly spectacular treat - King Crab.  During the course of our visit the fish and game

Ginger

dishes we had the opportunity to enjoy were numerous and wonderful.  The island is known for salmon, halibut, cod and a vast array of others not to mention the many varieties of crab to be found there.    Upon arrival we were welcomed by our
old friend, Ginger, and were pleased to see that she was fairly relaxed in our presence. After spending a little time bringing ourselves up-to-date on the latest events in the lives of the Kodiak folks and our niece from Washington state and her family we tried to jump into action preparing for the events that would take place in connection with the approaching Kodiak High graduation.  There was lots to do but our niece was so well organized that there was a plan for virtually every step to be taken.  Amazing!!!  We also took the opportunity to do a bit of reminiscing about Linda's sister who had come to Kodiak to make her home here over forty years ago.  The adventures she had prior to her untimely death in 1986 would have made a tremendous novel and the legacy she left through her three incredible daughters is phenomenal.  The one thing we have found about the people who live in this part of the world is that they don't take life for granted and they tend to try to make the most out of every second they have.  Of course, as in every part of our country (and the world) there are those who would prefer to have someone else help with their subsistence but, for the most part, the folks we have met here are strong, individualistic, self-reliant and energized.  After all, when you make your living by facing the most severe conditions mother nature has to offer it does something for your character.   On the sea or in the air, the people of Alaska have learned to adapt and to succeed in a big way.  Interestingly, there are reminders of the indomitable spirit of both those of native descent and those who came to Alaska for special reasons.  Everywhere on the island you can see remnants of the military presence that was built up on Kodiak during World War II.  Looking at the facilities, gun emplacements, roadways and communications centers that were built during the 1940s you can readily visualize the sense of urgency that must have been felt by those sent here to serve as our front line of defense in the event of an attack or attempted invasion from the west.  Now a state park, Fort Abercrombie is chock full of historical features and one can feel the spirits of those young servicemen who came to this remote outpost so long ago.  Fortunately for us, the park is a place of peace and beauty for all to enjoy.  I know I probably sound like a representative of the Chamber of Commerce but we really do love this place and never tire of looking at (and sharing) the beauty we find here - personal and visual.  We also happened to be here right at the peak of the spring growing season and the flowers were in full bloom everywhere.  The salmon berries, blueberries, lingonberries and many, many others were rapidly maturing - promising to offer some really tasty treats to our real hosts - the Kodiak bears.  There is also a somewhat sinister side to the plant life on the Emerald Island.  On earlier visits here we learned about "Pushkie", a plant that you definitely want to know how to recognize.  Sometimes known as "Cow Parsnip", these plants often grow to over six feet tall with large white flowers and bristly stalks.  The reason it is important to be able to recognize the plant is that is is like poison ivy on steroids.  The itching and burning that an encounter with the plant generates can be excruciating.  Runners in some of the long-distance events in Alaska have been known to crash through them before recognizing what they were and suffering the consequences for a long time afterward.  But for the most part, our "plant encounters" were far more pleasant and enjoyable.  Visiting the homes of some of our new-found friends offered a look at island adaptability and appreciation for the skill we saw in horticulture of every kind.  The ingenuity we encountered in leisure activities, industrial development, engineering, crafts and art were inspiring and awesome.  Even in something like the design of a ship-board crane we saw amazing ingenuity.  The equipment used on the dock for loading and unloading cargo ships not only requires enormous sources of energy - it also generates its own.  When items are being lowered by the machinery shown on the right a huge wheel attached to a generator spins providing a substantial amount of electricity which is then stored in batteries for use in the 'lifting phase.'  Over the course of our trips around the country and especially to Alaska we have seen some of the most innovative technology you could imagine in virtually every aspect of business, recreation and daily life.  From the design and function of some of the large fishing vessels to the amazing factories that proscess their catch - from the phenomenal Alaska Marine Highway System to the artistry and pure talent of artists, craftsmen and subsistence fishermen in the remotest parts of our country we have seen the indomitable spirit of extraordinary people everywhere we have traveled.  And - it makes us feel great!!  Even though the times in which we live give us cause for concern quite often, meeting and getting to know the wonderful people who are striving to make the world a better place refreshes the soul.  We have a lot more to talk about and show from the 49th State so come on back!!!!  See ya.

Back To Kodiak - At Last!!!!

Hey Gang, we're finally ... make that FINALLY!!!!! ... back on the road.  We're headed West again for another trip to beautiful Alaska and yet another High School graduation.  Yep, our Great-Nephew Morgan is finishing his high school career at Kodiak High and we promised him we would be there for the big event.  For those of you who have been traveling with us for a while, you will recall our posts from Kodiak when our great-niece Madison graduated.  Well - this promises to be an equally momentous event.  I promise we will give you some breathtaking photos of our 49th state and some from the trip out and back - but - we'll start with a short warm-up post.

This trip began in a rather unusual (for us) place - Atlanta.  Our niece in Kodiak figured out how we could use some of her "trip credits" and the best deal was from the "Big A."  It also gave us a chance to go through Anderson, S.C. on the way and take care of some of our responsibilities up there.  It was a (thankfully) uneventful trip and we made it to Atlanta smack in the middle of rush hour.  Our home for the night was the La Quinta Inn on Massachusetts Blvd. because it gave us the opportunity to leave our car during our trip and to have a place to sleep on our return.  (Best laid plans ... etc.  more to come!!)  Those of you who have been along on our journeys for a long time might remember that during my working life I traveled to Atlanta very frequently - several times a month - for many years.  Well - I've gotta tell you, the changes in the skyline and the different parts of the city were simply stunning!!  After joining a few hundred thousand of our nearest and dearest friends on the way to our hotel we settled in to a really beautiful room and had a leisurely - and great - meal at "Ruby Tuesday's" just around the corner.

This will be a short post because we want to get right into the beauty of Alaska and the hospitality of the folks in America's "Last Frontier."  But - a couple of notes before we start - including some info about a truly fantastic airline - Alaska Airways.  We have flown on Alaska a number of times but this trip highlighted just how superior the airline is to others we have flown countless times in the past.  I won't go into a lot of details (unless you ask) but we had a good bit of interaction with Delta (one of our past favorites), American (yes, we are AAdvantage members!!), United and others and Alaska Airlines simply smoked them all when it came to responsiveness, customer relations and technology.  Beginning with the web site and the app, Alaska Airlines introduced us to a bunch of new conveniences.  We booked our flight, downloaded our boarding passes (to both our iPhones and our printer) and - even printed off our baggage tags that would ultimately be housed in a really neat bag tag provided by the airline.  It was a really great way to start the trip - particularly since the TSA has made air travel about as difficult as it can be and these steps gave us a great head-start on the lines.  The photo to the left shows one of the lines into the security check-point but, believe me, it was not the longest line.  Fortunately for us, we had expedited screening in Atlanta so we were able to get through the check-point in less than thirty minutes.  It didn't start out that way, however.  When we first got there we checked in at the Delta counter.  (That was where we had been told to drop off our bags.  WRONG!!!)  The Delta folks did not have a clue about the pre-printed bag tags and were totally befuddled when we tried to talk to them about it.  Fortunately, Linda suggested that we check with an 'actual' Alaska Airways desk and they got us on the right track immediately.  The entire journey to Alaska was highlighted by extraordinary customer services by the Alaska Air folks and it was a true pleasure flying with them.  We got into the air on time and were soon winging our way westward.  It seemed like no time before we were in Seattle and, then, on to Anchorage.  I know I'm skipping over thousands of miles and hours of travel time but I don't want to bore you with a bunch of details - even though it is absolutely fascinating to us!!!!  The Seattle airport is truly mesmerizing in terms of activity, architectural detail and shopping opportunities.  We took the time to get a bite to eat before heading for the flight to Anchorage and, as always, the "people-watching" was extraordinary.  Arriving in Alaska was - as always - exciting and after a brief stopover we were back in the air and heading for Kodiak.  Thanks to the miracle of instant communications brought about by the smart-phone phenomenon our niece was fully aware of our travel status.  (That was another of the amazing things about Alaska Airways we came to enjoy and rely on - the phenomenal "App" that gave us instant access to every aspect of our travel plan.)  Consequently, she - and her sister - were waiting for us when the plane touched down and in minutes we were jumping off of Airport Way onto West Rezanof Drive and headed into Kodiak.  After a short drive we were approaching our niece's home and were overwhelmed by the feelings of "homecoming" we had on looking at their beautiful house and the exquisite scenery surrounding it.  Although it was quite cool (to our deep-south skins) the weather was absolutely delightful and the flowers that were out in abundance made it clear that spring/summer had arrived - even in the far north.  Our welcome to Kodiak was just great but we were quickly reminded that there was a lot of work to do in preparation for the graduation activities and that this was going to be a busy few days!!!  I can hardly wait to introduce (or re-introduce some of you) to the amazing and personable people who live on this remarkable island.  The days promised to be absolutely chock-full of new and exciting adventures as well as long awaited visits with our beautiful family.  It was so fantastic to be here folks.  We will be back with the opening days of our visit and I think you will enjoy them as we did.  See ya.